Flexible cigarette case with reinforcing means



M arch 23, 1948. J. A. MACE 2,438,408

f FLEXIBLE CIGARETTE CASE WITH REINFORGING MEANS i Filed sept. 22, 1944nventor l al 1f l? Jaim Mm (ttornegs Patented Mar. 23, 1948 FLEXIBLECIGARETTE CASE WITH REINFORCIN G MEANS l John A. Mace, Tampa, Fla.Application September 22, 1944, Serial No. 555,310

(Cl. 20G- 41) 1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in protective attachmentsfor cigarette cases and refers more particularly to a (crush-proof)leather cigarette case.

An object of the invention is to provide a device so constructed andarranged as to admitof its insertion into a conventional leathercigarette case for converting such case into armored compartmentsadapted to withstand pressure and avoid the crushing or mashing of thecigarettes.

Another object of the invention is to produce a simple and economicalform of attachment adapted for placement in any standard form ofcigarette case to reinforce and render rigid the walls of the case,which are ordinarily flexible,Y

to the end that adequate protection may be given to the cigarettes toavoid crushing of the same which is desirable from a smokers standpoint.

A still further object of the invention is to so construct and arrange aduplex attachment for the twin pockets of a foldable flexible cigarettecase that when folded the rigid walls of the attachment are exterior ofthe two cigarette pockets of the case in such relation that such wallsprovide an overall rigid protection for the contents of such pockets. Y

With the foregoing and other objects in View the invention will behereinafter more fully described and more particularly pointed out inthe appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and parts shownin section, of a conventional leather cigarette case having the improvedattachments applied therein;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the two elements of the device shownin separated and disassembled relation;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line S-S of Figure 1with the case folded;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line Il--t of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective View of a modified form of plate, and

Figure 6 is a similar View of a modified form of distending unit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings I0 designates generally aflexible or leather cigarette case of a conventional construction whichis foldable along a transverse center line indicated by the line li-i inFigure 1 for which purpose a single thickness of the leather or otherexible material exists at this Zone. The two pockets or compartments forthe cigarettes are indicated at I I and l 2, these pockets being closedon all sides save toward the central exible hinging or folding portionwhere they have open mouths to receive cigarettes which are placedtherein in the manner indicated in Figure 4.

In accordance with the present invention I equip each pocket of suchcigarette case with a protective device consisting of the two elements lshown in Figure 2.

One such element comprises a plate I3, preferably of rigid orsubstantially rigid material, for instance a metal plate, advantageouslyof alumi- Inum. Three of the edges of such plate are formed with flangesI4, I5 and I5. The plate I3 is of substantially the same dimensions of acigarette pocket of the case and is adapted to be slid in through theopen Vmouth of the same with the flange I4 leading. The flat edge Il ofthe plate S3 is toward the open mouth of the cigarette pocket. Theflanges I4 and I6 are turned outwardly from the plane of the plate I3only a small angular distance so that said flanges are diagonal ratherthan perpendicular to the plane of said plate I3.

The second element of the protective attachment consists of a devicehaving three members I8, I9 and 26.- These members have a heightsubstantially of the diameter of the cigarettes and such device isadapted to be slid into the cigarette pocket alongside the plate i3 onthat side of the plate from which the anges are struck up so that themember I8 engages against the flange I4 of the plate and the members I9and 20 against the side flanges I5 and I6, respectively.

The members I8, I9 and 29 distend the walls Il and I2 of the pockets andhold such pockets open and against collapse and in this manner suchdistending devices cooperate with the plate I 3 which forms an extensivearmor for the pocket against external pressures.

The distending device is preferably composed of resilient strip metal inwhich two of the strips are overlapped and riveted or otherwise securedtogether to constitute the basic member I8 and to neutralize theinherent spring action of the material. Both the lateral members I9 and2i) are free to move under this inherent resiliency which is aided bythe fact that such members are unattached at their outer ends whichextend at the mouth of the pocket. The lateral members I9 and 20 aregiven a set or bias in which they diverge from the central member I8whereby when the device is inserted into a pocket of the case the sidemembers I9 and 2l) will be shifted relationship causes the two .platesVcase isrfolded, as illustrated. inlFigure'to exist Vas anarmorprotecting vsubstantiallythe entire `flanges.

plates apart and the pockets distended. The two' 3 inwardly by the sideedges of the pocket and by the flanges I5 and I6 of plate I3. This willplace the device under tension and this tension will also becommunicated to the plate I3 so that the :device as a whole, consistingof both elements,

`will be frictionally held in the pocket and pre- `vented from readilyescaping therefrom.

The outer cornerportionsforfthe cornenportions ofthe plate I3 at .themouth ofleachpocket are rounded or beveled off or cut away, as indicatedat 2l, to avoid the presentation of sharp corners which might otherwisechate and cut same time eliminates unnecessary weight and the leather ofthe case, particularly vin"-,thehing l ing action thereof.

In the use of the device, as many ofztheimits 1.5

consisting of a plate I3 and distending devices I8, I9, are utilized asthere arel'poketsiwthe case. In the case of a twin pocket leather caigarette holder, two such ydevices are employed with theftwoplates I3,placed in the bottoms of vthe 20 twoipockets II and I2 when the casei-s. laid out flat in the vopen position, .as shownin .Figurel; and .thetwo y'distending 'devices areftted yin'the pockets on top `of .theplates I3. 'Ihis .order and I3, when the overall external area of thecase. '--Moreoverthe llanges of the plates mutually turn inwardly, asalso shown inl Figure 3, Yso .that rthe leftl `.edge of the caseinFigure A3 is also protected by Ythese The members I8, I9, 2l) alsohold-the plates and the two distendingdevicesthus VAcooperate in atwo-pocket -cigarette Acase to form substantially closed compartmentsfor cigarettes protected fromcrushing ontwo sides.

YReferring more particularly toFigure 5 a modied form of plate I3a isshown having oneor `more strengthening grooves 25 vof sufficient depth.to `add strength to the plate. This :construction vpresents a'grooveonthe inner -sideofithe .plate which is presented to the cigarette and-1arib 'on Athe outer side of the plate.v YSuch construction Vmakes theplate more rigid especially-jattheinner end wherel it lacks the supportof the distending relement composed of the membersl, I9 fami 20 when thecigarette case is inthe closed; position as shown in Figure 3.

Referring more. particularly `,to-.Iigure 6, a modied form of`distending :device is l shown :at I8?,

I9a and 20a in which all of these parts are continuously formed of thesame band of metal, integral throughout and of the same gage and width.In such case the double thickness of the parts at I8 in Figure 2 may beeliminated While the same strength is secured by adding a groove and ribconstruction 26 to the bar |85. This #groove ear-1dfri'brformsfafstrengthening strip |821. The device of Figurer-6accomplishes .the same purpose as the part I8 in Figure 2 and at thematerial.l The distending devices of Figures 2 Land .'iare 'optionalmeans of neutralizing the springaction of the material.

In combination with a flexible cigarette case "havinga pocket,"'a'fremovable protective attachmentfcomprising a substantially rigidplate having diagonal anges extending upwardly from .three .edges.thereof with v.the .otheriedgaat `and .adapted tothe. slidintothepocket of 'thecigarette Asaid outwardly spr-ungfmembers-iadaptedto fric- Y tion-allybindinthe.pocket-.of the. case. p n f JOHN-A. MACE.

REFERENCES 4vCI'IED Y .The following. references are iof :'recorld inthe 40 file `of?.thisapatent:

. Number Name .s Date :1,705,829 #Stanley i "Mar, A1119, `v 1929.12,297,097 Best ISSBIJL '.29, ..1942

2,335,685 Mayer 1 NoV. .130, '1943 FOREIGN 'Parrains` Number f CountryaDate

